It had been early spring the
first time Deirdre saw him... dressed in a studded
leather jerkin he wore his now familiar swords proudly on
his back. Like most of them she had heard the stories of
the Crusades, the stories of the Saracen's brutality...
was it surprising then that they kept their distance from
him? As Robin and the others were greeted by the
villagers he hung back, quietly moving to assume a watch
of the road from the backside of one of the outer huts.
Throughout the morning, as she did her chores she found
herself watching him, as the others mingled, trading
stories and joking, he remained alone.

Finally when he
did not join the others for the midday meal she bolstered
enough courage to approach him with a basket of food. He
had to eat, it was only polite to offer him something,
even if it was only a light soup and some bread and
water. "Excuse me.." She stopped a short
distance from where he sat, trying to hold her
nervousness in check. When he turned and his dark eyes
settled on her, she felt her knees weaken, "I saw
you didn't join the others ..I thought you might be
hungry." She held the basket out to him, for a
moment thinking he might refuse, but instead he nodded
and she couldn't help smiling as he took it. "Thank
you." It was the first time she had heard him speak
and she was surprised at how quiet his voice was.
"You're welcome... would you like some company while
you eat?" She couldn't believe she was even asking
him, she was just being polite, never imagining he would
agree, but he did, with another nod. What was she going
to say to him? Did he even speak their language?

She took a seat on the ground next to him, tucking her
skirt around her legs as she did and tried not to stare
at him. "My name is Deirdre." She volunteered
shyly. "Nasir Malik Hamad Ibrahim Shams et Dualla
Wattab ibn Mahmoud." He reeled off the name then
dipped his head slightly with a small smile. "Oh
my." Her hand flew to her mouth. "Nasir,"
he repeated softly. "Nasir," she echoed.
"It's a beautiful name." She grew quiet again
as she watched him eat, he didn't seem evil, maybe a
little intimidating..but that was more because of his
style of dress and the swords he wore. She must have been
staring because she was suddenly aware of his dark eyes
being on her again. "I'm sorry.." She
apologized amid a deep blush..I didn't mean to staree...
it is just..." How could she explain without
sounding like a complete fool? "You're the first
Saracen I've ever seen." For a moment he said
nothing, his eyes seeming to look inside her, "You
do not...fear me?" He asked solemnly. "No..I
don't think you would harm us..you wouldn't be with Robin
if you were like that." He seemed to accept her
answer and for several minutes neither spoke. "Why
did you...come to me?" He asked unexpectedly. Now he
was going to think her a fool...did she lie, or tell him
the truth? No, she wasn't going to base what might be a
friendship on a lie. "I thought you looked
lonely...the other villagers made everyone else so
welcome...no one even spoke to you. Didn't that bother
you?"

Nasir took a swallow of water then slowly began,
searching for the words as he did. "It is not...easy
to...make...clear." - "Do you mean
explain?" She offered. He nodded, then repeated
explain as if committing it to memory. "I do
not...say well... this tongue.." Deirdre stopped
herself from correcting him again, there would be time
for her to help him with that later, better to just let
him talk now. "You're doing fine." She
encouraged, hoping he wouldn't forget what she had asked.
"I am...used to the... looks...many...hate...what I
am. It is...less hard..to be away...from them." -
"Nasir, don't you think that what people think about
you would change if they had a chance to get to know
you?" She drew her knees up, wrapping her arms
around them as she waited for his response, but just then
Little John called to him from the road, and she knew
there would be no answer. She rose as he did, not wanting
to keep him from joining the others. "Thank
you...for the...meal." - "You're welcome...I
enjoyed talking to you...maybe next time..." She
paused glancing to where the others had called from,
"Nasir, would you come visit me the next time you
come to Wickham?" She couldn't believe she had been
so forward, she could feel her face reddening even as she
brought her eyes back to his. If he was offended his face
did not show it, instead he simply nodded, then turned
and headed out of the village...leaving her stunned in
his wake.

Lost
garments

Robin looked back at the others as they
crested the hill leading down to Wickham. The last few
weeks had been hard on all of them.. they were tired and
what supplies they had were almost depleted. Hopefully
Edward had some that he could spare. He tossed the small
pouch into the air and caught it again as he made his way
towards the bridge.

Nasir brought up the rear... he'd
have rather stayed in Sherwood, it had been easy to
ignore the looks of distain he'd gotten while in de
Belleme's service. He knew most people hated the man so
it was only natural that they should hate him as well,
but now it was different. He had seen looks of welcome
given to the others fade as he appeared...tasks suddenly
demanded attention...he sighed to himself...no, he was
not looking forward to another visit to a village.

"Good morning, Edward." Deirdre stepped out
of her cabin, a laundry basket in her arms, as the
village elder walked past her cabin. Over her shoulder
she said .. "It was Edward, Fianna ... I'll go down
to the stream if you need me." She went down to the
bank and followed a frequently used path that led to the
women's favorite washing place downstream from Wickham.

As they crossed the bridge Nasir decided against
continuing on, he caught John's attention and with a
slight head nod indicated he would remain on the
outskirts of the village. When the rest headed into the
village he walked along the water's edge.

Usually three or four women met to do the washing
together ... gossiping and laughing ... but today Deirdre
was alone here. Maybe the others would come later ...
with that thought she stooped down and began to empty her
basket.

Nasir paused just past the bridge... letting his gaze
wander across the water. He was beginning to wonder if he
had made the right choice in staying... maybe he should
have returned to his homelands. It wasn't just the
looks.. it was the language.. their way of looking at
things... everything was so different and would always
mark him as a stranger.

Deirdre counted the pieces of clothing as she took
them from the basket ... then stopped as she reached the
bottom. She could have sworn there were two chemises when
she left the cabin ... but now she only held one in her
hand ... should she go all the way back to the cabin?
Reluctantly she looked down the path, then decided to
stay. The water was cold as she dipped the first piece
into the stream ...

Nasir closed his eyes, tilting his head back... no...
he had to stop thinking that way...drawing a breath he
opened them and turned away from the water, once again
following its bank. He paused as something white on the
ground caught his attention... bending over he picked it
up, then awkwardly looked around to see if he was being
watched... he hadn't had much occassion to see the
undergarments of women here..maybe he should leave it
lay...he looked down the bank...only then noticing the
woman who had spoken to him on his last visit...

Holding the garment as if it would bite the Saracen
slowly approached the woman ... when he was within
speaking distance he stopped, then quietly cleared his
throat. "I mean..not to..." he frowned as he
lost the word he needed, then continued, "stop
from..your work...this..was..." he turned slightly
to point up the bank. "... there." He extended
the garment to her.

The water was spraying around her as she rubbed the
cloth to remove a stubborn stain. The voice behind her
back gave her a start... she drew a deep breath in, then
turned her head. Not expecting to see the Saracen from
Robin's gang of outlaws she asked the man behind her
"Is that your usual way of approaching
someone?" before noticing who it was. "Oh, it's
you... " Then she saw his extended hand and smiled.
Wiping her hands on her skirt and her hair from her face
she stood and took the garment . "You found it ...
thank you."

He released the chemise with an embarassed smile as he
lowered his eyes..."I will...go now." He knew
she had been friendly before, but she had been close to
the others then...what would they say if they saw him
here alone with her.

As she noticed what she held in her hand, she blushed
and smiled nervously, then let the hand with the garment
disappear behind her back. "No, please stay...
" she dropped the chemise discreetly into the basket
and lay a hand on his forearm. "I apologize for my
harsh words ... you really frightened me."

"I did not...mean to...I am...sorry." Nasir
looked towards the village again then back to her before
he finally squatted a short distance form her. He pulled
a small weed from the ground in front of him as he
watched her, then unconsciously pulled the leaves from
it.

Slightly bewildered Deirdre asked herself if she had
insulted him ...? Then she stepped back hesitantly and
almost stumbled over the basket... blushing more than
before she bent down and taking the chemise with her she
returned to where all her other garments lay piled up.